Learning & Memory
Learning Objective
Choose appropriate learning theories and design models for the course.
Timeline http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~foreman/itec800/finalprojects/joelantipuesto/timeline.html
There are many theories that focus on how we learn. Exploring these theories can help create
learner centered teaching environments.
Behaviorism –BF Skinner (1904-1990) is an outcome oriented way of viewing learning bases on
behaviors and consequence’s, stimulus and Reponses and reinforcement and
punishment. Skinner believed strongly in “learning machines” (computers) that could
monitor behavior and deliver reinforcements.
Atkinson–Shiffrin memory model
Memory & Storage
Sensory>STM>LTM
Biological basis of learning
Dual Processing
Practice, practice, practice
Distributed rather than massed
Elaborative rather than rote
Constructivist Theorists
John Dewey 1859-1952
Political liberal - Philosopher
Curriculum should arise from student’s interests
Curriculum should be integrated
Education is growth not an end in itself
Education occurs though it’s connection to real life
Learning should be hands-on
Jean Piaget
(1896-1980)
4 stages of cognitive development
Learning by assimilation or accommodation
Teaching with concrete examples
Lev Vygotsky
(1896-1934)
Cognitive development is directly linked to social development
Individual differences
Personal creativity
Influence of culture
Language use
Zone of proximal development – Scaffolding by adults
Jerome Bruner
Still alive!
Children’s stages of cognitive development
Benchmarks of cognitive development
Discovery Learning
Constructivist Models
Focus on learning through posing problems, possible answers, developing products and
presentations
Abilities to problem solve
Research Skills & Exploration
Stress group work over Individual work
Alternative, authentic assessments e.g. portfolios
Theory into the Classroom: Constructivism
Solve real life problems
Student’s construct knowledge themselves NOT simply by receiving it from knowledgeable
teachers
Theorists vary on their opinions of how much structure student projects should have.
Piaget
Bruner
Vygotsky
Self-directed learning
Self-regulated learning
Cognitive Load (George Miller)
Bronfenbrenner